The Man on the Box

-wire fence and a boggy stream which oozed its way down toward the Potomac. Far away across the valley the wooded hills were drying and withering

eceived a check. Score one for the man. Warburton, his legs stiffened in the stirrups, his hands well down, his breath coming in gasps, wondered where they would finally land. He began to use his knees, and Pirate felt the pressure. He didn't like it at all. Oddly enough, Warburton's leg did not b

. He grew worried. And then he struck the red-brown muck bordering the stream. The muck flew, but at every bound Pirate sank deeper, and the knees of his rider were beginning to tell. Warburton, full of rage, yet not unreasonable rage, quickly saw his chance. Once more he threw back his weight; this time to the left. Pirate's head came stubbornly arou

aper man and makes his livin

sooner or later-the inevitable mastery of man. There was blood in his nostrils. A hand touched his neck caressingly. He shook his head; he refused to conciliate. A voice, kindly but rather breathless, addressed him. Again Pirate shook his head; but he did not run, he cantered. Warburton gave a sigh of relief. Over the field they went. A pull to the le

the battle Warburton had forgotten all about where and what he was; and it was only when he discerned far away a sunbonnet with fluttering strings peering over the stone wall, a

nowledgment. He had gained, in the guise of a groom, what he might never have gained in any other condition of life, the girl's respect and admiration. Though a th

uted William, leaping dow

down," said the girl, quietly

plished it, whether it was the tone or the gesture, but she had

e wall again," said the her

. Round he went again, down the field and back. This time he clea

munching an extra supply of oats, the girl bade

hall please

m now on," she said; and nodding

ad she given him. Yet, she had answered his smile. Well, he had made a lackey out o

his things, explaining that he was called North and wouldn't have time to see them before he left. It took all my p

away and play poker all night with a lot of idling Army officers. And now he is going off t

glance at me. But I was something of a diplomat myself, and

Warburton had depended on. I read it aloud. It is good to have friends of this sort. No que

something like it before, that day. "He'll turn up all

aid Nancy, her voice overflowing with reproach. Her eyes

But I had given my promis

enerally does it." Jack, believing he had demolished the subject, opened his

sisters know how to love. And I became possessed with tw

till he came home one night and announced that he had successfully passed his examinations for West Point. He goes and gets shot, and we never know anythin

her the rascal would turn up in due time, that t

ss and single-purpos

urposed!"

n his brain, and thinks of nothing else

suasion of the morning. "

ack, turning a page of his paper

ram explains every

im, Nan. I'll wager he's up to

natural student of men and their impulses, and that his insight and judgment, uner

the prodigal at a cheap hotel on Pennsylvania. He was lookin

k, so here

this will never d

eshed all that out th

ing over your bla

nt Nancy to waste any tears

e of things, I should have exposed you to-night. Why didn't you turn up to dinner as you

Annesley, and they will be calling on each other. The truth is, I dare not let the

recognizes you and gives you

now, it is positive, doubtless. Her presence is as necessary to me as the air I breathe. Had I met her in the conventional way, she would have looked upon me as one of the pillars of convention, and mildly ignored me. As I am, she does not know what I am, or who I am; I am a mystery, I represent a s

about feminine nature than I had given you c

shoulders. "Ti

tide, I can't help

silently, and t

that same night, "I have engaged a new groom. H

addle-horse if he is ridden often enough. The groom will be a safe companion

tificati

night outside. How gray and sad the world wa

him? A

etide, for

ver be

s for her to s

your abode in some other man's heart. My only wish

nking, dreaming? Was she dreaming of heroes such as we poets and novelists invent and hang upon the puppet-beam? Ah, the pity of these dreams the young girl has! She dreams of heroes and of god-like men, and of the one that is to come. But, ah! he n

o pay you well if those

away from

ay me well. I should like to ma

happy in having the kindest father." She came around the table and caressed him, che

tense aroun

elled! No formalities, no race prejudice, no false pride. I was never introduced to a foreign officer that I did not fear him, with his weak eyes, his affected mannerisms, his studied rudeness, not to me, but to the country I represented. How I made some of them dance! Not for vanity's sake; rather the inborn patriotism of my race. I had only to think of my father, his honorable sca

t be a secret till all is ready. I met Karloff to-day at t

I have promised to dine

nd the evening with your friend. Do

hed the bowl of poppies wi

ery weal

fered no

al rascal who attempted to run a

ed him and l

d what reason did he give the police

-maids to drive them from the embassy. He claims to

likely

ed on into the music-room, where she took her violin from

would stop and raise his haggard face toward heaven. His face was no longer masked in smiles; it was grief-stricken, self-abhorring. At length he softly crossed the lawn and stood before the music-r

h, how have you kept your trust? And how yonder child has stabbed you! How innocently s